On the Yankees beat

So now, I guess, it's Joba Rules* (with an asterisk).

My take is this.

1) I think two Yankees were hit this series
2) All series long, even John Sterling made note of this, the Sox were buzzing the Yankees up around the eyes. They came close to drilling Matsui once up high and Melky twice and Jeter twice.
3) Youkilis went nuts when he was called out and had to be restrained by the third base coach

Was it intentional? I don't know. If it was, fine, if not fine.

Only Joba knows for sure.

It will make the September series at Fenway pretty darn interesting. I haven't read what Youkilis and the Sox said after the game. Are they letting it go, or are they hot about it? YES didn't show this, but a Red Sox blog (Surviving Grady) said Beckett was about ready to flip out after the second buzzer to Youkilis.

Let's see if we can have debates on this board keeping these 10 things in mind:

1) This is a Yankees board, so if you are a Red Sox fan (like I am) try to post something a little smarter than "Yankees Suck! Red Sox rule! You are a bunch of pickle smokers!" People make homophobic comments when they have no retort. I used to tell Red Sox posters that "If A-Rod was indeed a homosexual and that's the way homosexuals play, then we should sign some homosexuals to our team!"

2) If you are finding yourself accusing paranoid posters of using multiple identities, then chances are YOU are the paranoid one.

3) Most of us have never met in person, so any personal attacks you may make will make you look and sound petty. And leave your hatred of Jews at the door.

4) Just because you are a Red Sox fan and root against the Yankees doesn't mean you don't acknowledge that the Yankees have won more titles, have had a stronger winning tradition and have a good chance of making the playoffs this year.

5) Just because you are a Yankees fan and root against the Red Sox doesn't mean you don't acknowledge the Red Sox have had a very good season this year, have played the same teams the Yankees have... and 2004 actually happened.

6) If you are a Yankee fan, know that the sole reason someone roots for the Red Sox is that they grew up somewhere between New Haven and Maine. Living in that region doesn't make you inferior nor superior... and it's a nice part of the country.

7) If you are a Red Sox fan, know that the probable reason someone roots for the Yankees is they grew up somewhere between New Haven and Trenton, or in Upstate New York or Long Island. That range includes New York City, the greatest city on the planet. Like New England, living there doesn't make you superior or inferior.

8) There are great Yankee fans... there are obnoxious Yankee fans. There are great Red Sox fans... there are obnoxious Red Sox fans. Let's try to be the great fans.

9) The Yankees don't suck. They were hurt early on and have done a great job to climb up from a sub .500 All Star break record to jump into the frying pan of the playoff chase.

10) The Red Sox don't suck. They have the best record in baseball, the biggest lead and only had one bad month.

Now, if we can leave the BS aside and just debate baseball, this board would be a lot cooler.

Oh yeah, we can also admit Philadelphia fans are obnoxious!

Yea,Beckett was ready to flip out with Howard from the Phils when he tought he was styling a fly ball until Howard answered back and the *USSY got a case of lock jaw.

Great Comments, Sully. I would like to think that most of us follow that line of thinking.

Eventhough most of us have never met each other as you point out, I consider you guys to be friends since we basically talk everyday. We don't always agree and the debates can get heated, but doesn't that happen with friends?

I hate the racist, sexist comments from some morons as much as anybody with a sense of decency can have. I want to talk baseball, Baseball, BASEBALL! With an occasional steakhouse comment, Ant's rants, etc.
Hell, I talked about my sick dog here cause I needed to talk to my friends. And you know what?
You guys all responded.
THAT tells me a lot.

I don't care that you're a Red Sox fan, I don't care that Casual is a Red Sox fan.

We've all had fun and basically, it's been pretty clean and fun-spirited between us.

I was just over on the Globe's blog to look at the comments. I wanted to post, but decided not to. I wanted to tell them about the Sox fans (You and cas) that are here and are regulars. Most of the comments there were really critical of the Red Sox and Francona in particular.

You know what?

They all sounded like us!

Anyway, enough of my rambling.

Well put Sully!!!!!!!!

Hey,

In the end...we are all "brothers"....baseball and rivalry between two competing teams is what keeps the juices flowing.....but, we dont have to have an unfounded hate for each other because of our loyalties....baseball fans first.....team loyalty second. There are many very good people on this blog who I feel kinship with. I mean, let's face it...as a Sox fan...I have had alot of disappointments.....but through it all, I still love the game...and I love the rivalry.

May these two teams fight it out in the ALCS....anything else would be second tier!

It's suppose to be fun. That's what this blog and all blogs are for, I think.

I look forward to coming in everyday. I keep this link fired up while i'm working.

Cas,

I read your comments on the other thread and i just wanted to say "Thank You from the bottom of my heart". :-)

I missed you while you were absent.

All I had was Sully!

DON'T DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!!!

Well John,

The last few months I was working on a project that kept me far too busy...but now that is about over...and I have just signed a new contract that will allow me far more free time, and virtually all the work is done here on the computer, at home....the money promises to be ridiculously good....so, I am a very happy man (so is my wife)....in essence, it will allow me more time to do what I really like....chat, and still make enough money to stay in front of the wife's shopping sprees.

Wish me luck.

You've got it Bro.

In response to Ed's ten things to keep in mind.
Brilliant. I am a Yankee fan and rarely take part in blogs or comments because of the vitriol that usually takes place.
I go to Boston at least once a year for a series and have a much better time away from the ballpark, because you can have baseball conversations with genuine baseball fans without the venom that takes place at Fenway.
The RedSox vs.Yankees is the greatest rivalry in sports and it is fans like you Ed, that have helped make it that way, and not the ignoramuses who can only say Boston s---s or the Yankees s--k.

Sorry Sully's 10 things to keep in mind.

Ed only has one thing to keep in mind:

Chicks don't dig haters.

BTW, I keep refreshing all the AP stories on the game, but I get nothing with post-game quotes from Boston. I'm really curious to see what the Sox have to say about Joba, etc.

dare i say, a turning of the tide?

good to see jeter go 7-11 in series, alex looked strong, cano and damon contributed effectively and melky followed suite.

yet even better pettitte sets the tone fri, clemens comes out solid and wang follows uo with gem of his own.

another needed sweep this weekend to tampa. no reason not to. and at this stage, stepping it up a little to get ahead / gain 2-3 games on whoever in very much needed.

need a good outing from hughes tomorrow, and hopefully offense helps out 2 rookie pitchers fri and sat.

how good was joba? and no gagne? haha

yanks look good and need to continue to do so.

Joba is a punk! hat in the world was he doing throwing at Youk twice? Gutless worm he is!

Thanks to Joba's actions, A-Fraud will get a ball thron at his head next game they meet.

ed, this is from the red sox website

For Youkilis, it was just the beginning of his controversial afternoon. In the ninth inning, rookie Yankees flame-thrower Joba Chamberlain threw a pair of upper-90s offerings just above his batting helmet. After the second heater got away, Chamberlain was promptly ejected.

"I was up in the office," said Francona. "If that young man is trying to get our attention, he did a very good job. You can't read somebody else's mind. You'd be better served to ask him."

Chamberlain said it was an accident.

"I'm new to this whole game," Chamberlain said. "I want to be aggressive and competitive, but not with a negative connotation. I have more respect for the game than that."

Youkilis, who was hit in the head by Scott Proctor (then a Yankee) on June 1 at Fenway Park, was left to wonder why New York pitchers seem to have such poor aim when he's at the plate.

"It is what it is," Youkilis said. "You know, two balls going over somebody's head at 98 mph, I don't know. I didn't see any other pitches going that far out of the strike zone. Those balls were pretty close to the head. There were a couple of nods here and there. Who knows what it really meant. Ask him what his intent was. He's going to probably tell you he didn't mean to throw those. It's one of those things where only one person, or maybe a couple people on their team know."

What a surprise Clueless Joe wants to change the rules.

Yankee fans should rise up and get this clown fired now. No way should you mess with something that WORKS. Get Farns to pitch better and leave the kid alone. Stupid idea, typical Yankee bull$hit, giving in to Torre.

Sully,

Oooh ... poor baby ... that was a bad three games for you and I felt really bad ...

NOT!!!!!

The Red Sox have the best record ... but we are pretty tough at home! And it's only EIGHT Dollars for a hot dog! Can't beat that my SF chum.

It will be the Yanks and the Red Sox down to the wire I think!

But what kind of team are we on the road? Kind of terrible at the Angels place and Detroit. Aaah!

Just think on the bright side. You are a nice looking man Sully. You have a pretty wife, two healthy twins and one of them is a lefty.

And your friend Anthony knows 1-2-3-4 girls who look like Liv Tyler ... Charisa, Andrea, Maddie and Erin. (Not my crazy blonde friend Erin, another Erin. To quote someone I know; "Erin is very, very crazy, and possibly insane.")

John G.,

No acid ... only in the car battery!

I love squirrels and I talk with them ... I leave them piles of acorns and they are happy with that!

They steal our green peppers and tomatoes and run away.

(Oh my God did I write that? People must think I am like, totally crazy!)

Did you go to YouTube.com to see Terminator II the Superfantasic Musical?

Well ... you should!

Since you mentioned Acid, check out the MAD TV Big Pharma ecstasy commericial ... it is the funniest thing I have ever seen!

I was very upset by the whole Mel Gibson drive by today ... Kevin Y. is a good guy and plays hard ... if Joba, who had polio and cleaned out toilets, says he did not throw at him, then I believe Joba. He should tell Kevin he is sorry and would never hit him.

Shades of poor Scott Spezio!

One more thing ... what is Vitriol? I don't think its good. We can't afford to be sanguine about any of this. Especially when we don't know what sanguine means.

Everyone have a good night ...

I am off to Terminator II the Superfantastic Musical starring Rebecca R. Stamos.

Sing along ...

Stamos (singing) "That robot tried to kill me ..."

Jason Alexander: "But that was in the first movie ..."

Stamos: "That is something I can forgive ..."

Ah-nold (singing): "Come with me ... if you waaaant to liiiiiive!"

Go Yankees ... on to victory!

Final thought:

Let us all love one another, black, white, Chrsitian, Jewish, Muslim ... people who vote for the Green Party ... you know ... everyone.

Peace Now, forgive and forget!

If you need to hate, just hate the Red Sox.

Just kidding Sully!

We love you!!!!!!!!!

What we really need are Farnsworth Rules! Basically, only one is needed. NEVER let him pitch again in another meaningful game situation. Mop up duty only!

How about Giambi's defense??? I think he is looking very good at 1B.

Sully,

Your "rules" are generally acceptable, but as a lifelong NYer (only moved to Jersey in April), I must say that I will always be NYcentric. "The city" will always be NYC, no matter where I am and the vantage that being from NY makes you somewhat superior will still linger in the back of my head. It's not related to baseball or have anything to do with the Red Sox, just something from growing up in NY.

An aside on Boston: I've been there three times. Twice when the Patriots were in the Superbowl because we thought the bars would be better (they were), but both times my night ended with a police escort. The reason being, after the Patriots won each Superbowl, rather than cheering on the Patriots, the raucous crowd of thousands continually chanted, "New York Sucks". Drunken NYers, we did not take too well to that and as such were escorted for the remainder of the night for our safety.

Simply put, that is how I developed my opinion of the city of Boston and my general opinion of Red Sox fans.

I find Sully to be the exception much more so than the rule. Cas, if you're a sox fan, you can fit the bill as well.

Yeah,

Thanks for the info. It's always funny when guys talk smack after getting swept in a three game series. (And almost no hit in two of those games.) Youk can flap his gums, but now the Sox have to play the Baltimore Millars and their bats haven't been doing much talking.

Rick you are too funny with the Farnsworth Rules.

What about the Mussina Rules ...

ed a little more on the subject this is from the yankees site

"There's no chance I'm trying to do that," Chamberlain said of his intent. "I definitely don't want to send that message, because that's not who I am."

Youkilis anticipated Chamberlain's reaction, and rebuffed it in advance.

"Two balls going over somebody's head at 98 mph, I don't know," Youkilis said. "I didn't see any other pitches going that far out of the strike zone. Those balls were pretty close to the head."

"That's the second time," Youkilis continued, referring to a similar situation that occurred on June 1. "Scott Proctor hit me in the head. Coincidence? I don't know. It doesn't look good. When two balls go at your head and the guy has a zero ERA and is around the strike zone pretty good, any man is going to think there's intent to hit him in the head."

Youkilis first lost his temper in the seventh inning on Thursday, when he was ruled out for running out of the baseline between second and third. After J.D. Drew hit a grounder to Yankees shortstop Alex Rodriguez, Youkilis made a dash toward third, while Rodriguez attempted to tag him en route. The tag missed, and second-base umpire Derryl Cousins originally ruled Youkilis safe, before umpires gathered and reversed the call based on third-base umpire Mark Carlson's perspective.

Youkilis, noticeably irked, crossed paths with Francona on his way back to the dugout. The Red Sox manager argued with umpires for several moments before getting ejected by Cousins.

So when Chamberlain twice threw near Youkilis' head during the first baseman's next at-bat, the umpiring crew wasn't about to take a chance.

"There is more than a little bit of history between these clubs," Cousins said. "Those were two pretty nasty pitches the young man threw. Up here, you need to be a little better throwing strikes, and we just had to put a lid on it before there was a problem."

Much of Youkilis' anger stemmed from the fact that Chamberlain seemed to have pinpoint control throughout his scoreless eighth inning -- and throughout his young career. He remains unscored upon in 11 1/3 innings this season, and has walked only three batters during that stretch. Over 88 1/3 Minor League innings almost exclusively as a starter, Chamberlain walked 27 batters.

Yankees manager Joe Torre, however, saw the situation differently. He said that with a game -- and a series sweep -- on the line, putting runners on base was the last of his desires.

"To me, that was strictly the safest thing to do, instead of the thing that made sense," Torre said of the ejection. "There certainly wasn't a message. You're certainly not going to send a 21-year-old kid out there with limited experience to send a message. That's absolutely ridiculous."

The Yankees and Red Sox have seen their rivalry take a tumultuous turn since the turn of the century, highlighted by two recent memorable fracases. In 2003, benches cleared as then-Sox starter Pedro Martinez threw then-Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground at Fenway Park. Then, the following year, Rodriguez and Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek sparked a benches-clearing incident after Sox starter Bronson Arroyo hit A-Rod with a pitch.

Yet tempers have cooled since those exchanges, and no major on-field episodes have surfaced since the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. And because of that seemingly newfound peace, Torre expressed even more displeasure when accusations flew about his newest reliever.

"It makes no sense, and unfortunately in a lot of situations, the umpires do not apply common sense," Torre said. "I've seen it too many times, and something has to change."

Varitek had no comment, and pitcher Curt Schilling said simply, "I don't know what to think."

Yet Chamberlain did, and wasn't shy to voice his opinion -- perhaps the least contentious opinion of all.

"I'm new to this whole thing, and the last thing I want to do is send a bad message," said Chamberlain, who was in line for a save before exiting. "I have the utmost respect for Youkilis. He plays the game right."

Chamberlain noted that he's still trying to become acclimated to the Major Leagues, and due to the way he pitches -- routinely hitting 98 and 99 mph on the radar gun -- mistakes are bound to happen.

His pitches to Youkilis were 97 and 98 mph, respectively, and gave him plenty of regret -- little of which centered around their implication.

"The biggest thing was I let my team down," Chamberlain said. "I feel worse about that. There was nothing behind it. I'm more mad at myself."

Hughes, I can not argue that New England has its share of A--HOLES who call themselves sports fan.

I can say it goes both ways. I can recall just walking to my seat in Yankee stadium with my Sox cap on and getting a full beer thrown in the face (1999) and having a guy lean into my face screaming Boston sucks... when I was 7 years old.

The guy was in his 20s

But I know this is a NY site, which is why I am more fair minded than if I was with lifelong friends/Yankee fans who I can razz

Read sully's remarks earliers and speaking of homosexuals - seattle is becoming a real pain in the ass.

cant seem to tak the lead down 3 and came back - tied the game with a run in the ninth (by the way how can the indians exect to win a title with borowski as the closer)...want him instead of Mo.

Indians are threatening in the ninth - a loss here cold break the mariners spirits -- fingers crossed

bases loaded and loften - a tough out is

5 straight balls - walk is as good as a hit -- go indians

make it 6

love MLB.com

BALL 4

YANKS LEAD THE WILD CARD!!!

that is if the hot dog ever makes it to first base.

You guys, fighting back and forth about about down to boston vs NY fans dont know how lucky you are. I just relocated down to baseball hell AKA Florida --nothing like sports talk radio talking exclusively about pre seasn foot-ball

I d get to watch DRAYS games, but minor league baseball just isnt the same.

JOBA is great in relief, but this guy has the potential and the stuff to be a GREAT starter - an ACE and what are there about 5 or 6 real Aces in baseball. The unfortunate thing is that he will inevitably have growing pains as a starter and every time he does we will here that they should keep him in the pen.

Moose wont be in the rotation next season - I really think they give Kennedy every chance to make the team, That doesnt mean he wont be traded though. He is a 10-5 guy so has the autmatic veto right (such a B.S. rule). Maybe he waives it if he is told that he wont have a spot.

Tonight is a night to be happy though -- we can finaly say "if the season ended today the yanks would be in the playoffs

It looks like Eric Bedard will miss his next start due to some kind of muscle strain in his side. That sucks, but I'm sure he'll be healthy enough to face the Yanks...dammit!

By the way, it seems as if the Indians have woken from their slumber and I'd like to thank them for beating Seattle tonight.

We go to sleep as the wild card leaders tonight, which is great.
No letdown please! I mentioned earlier that I fear the "post Boston" meltdown that seems to plague the Yanks every year. Joe should be working on this team right now and telling them they can't let up or they're toast!

My biggest concern in the whole Joba situation was why in the hell with the "JOBA RULES" was he pitching with a 5 run lead? Another example of Joe's inner circle. Thank god for the rules or he would have the kid ut every day - had they saved him today then he would be available tomorrow when they may need to hold a one run lead.

Maybe the rest of the pen was tired, I dont know, but it seems like a 5 run 9th inning lead in a pennant race against the Sox would have been a good test for another pitcher - defenitly a pressure filled situation, but one with a large margin for error.

As for thowing over Youklis's heas - while I don't condone that, it abslutly will factor in to future at bats fr Youk gainst Joba - think clemens/piazza. piazza killed clemens prior to that, but since then has too much poop in his pants to hit the Rocket - intimidated the Muts in that game as well - and in the WS.

Its a win-win when you can get into someone's and possibly the team's head without actually having to hurt the guy. I dont think he was trying t hit him, but I also think he threw the bal exactly where he wanted to.

So the hell stretch is over. Take out the Orioles (who for some reason the yanks cant beat this year) and you have 13-6. I may be a little off--tried to d it by memory. I would take that in a heartbeat;

Amazing though that with that recird which included a sweep of the Sox they are still 5 behind the sox. A testimony to how good the sox are. Fellow fans dont underestimate ths team off these ganes. They were not nearly as important to the sox as to the yanks. The starting pitching of the Sox is scary in a short series and both Manny and Ortiz are capable of carrying the team offesively in a short series. They are still the best overall team in baseball

Kay's Rantings

It was so completely obvious that Jaba did not intentionally throw at Youkalis today, but Kay has to make a big deal out of it and question how the yankees would use Jaba to send a message. Last week he didn't understand the Joba Rules and questioned why the yankees would only use him for one inning and now he questions how they could use him for two innings. Joba threw the same pitch twice, well over Youkalis' head while he had a 5 run lead in bottom 9th. Give the kid a break, he isn't yet thinking about hitting any players on any teams, he has enough to deal with just working his way into the big leagues. In spite of his inexperience if he wanted to throw at anyone he wouldn't miss by so much and then throw the same pitch twice. The only message I got was that he was feeling a little pressure from the situation. Joe Torre and Co. would never expect Joba to hit anyone and he is not at the point in his career where he would make that decision himself. Michael Kay should know better. Actually I wish he would work for some other network and stop calling the Yankee's games. HE STINKS -(I can't post the word I really wanted to use)- he just likes to hear himself rant on and on. (I think I'm ranting on and on - but I can't take kay anymore

ahh shut up.

If it was a young Sox Pitcher throwing at a Yankee head Kay would say the same thing.

As an announcer he has every right to view Joba rules are anything else.

When he was a Homer people had stuff to say now that he balances his views people have stuff to say

I saw the two pitches. They may have hit Yuke if he was 7'6", they weren't even close.

The Red Sox...isn't this the same organization that backed Pedro when he headhunted Yankees in the playoffs and then knocked 70-year old Don Zimmer to the ground? The same team whose captain had to wear protective gear when he cheap-shotted A-Rod?

As a Yankee fan, I was hoping Joe would let Joba pitch the ninth for some last inning experience with a comfortable lead. He did with abreviated action.

I believe that Joba's intent was up and in on the first pitch not to be menacing but a purpose pitch. And If I recall correctly Posada's target on the second pitch was inside corner. So, they probably got away from him. Now, If I'm Youklis I could portray a different picture with those pitches which were very intimatating but to be fair Beckett has a little Texas mentallity of pitching at or near the Adams Apple. So, pitchers have to have the nasty in them to win even if they can break the sound barrier with their pitches. Boston was starting to get their bat (contact) on pitches from Joba. everyone in the big leagues can be hit. Beckett and Dice K. will confirm this aspect of the game.

All I can say this was a good win for us (every win is a good win for us at this point). I have no idea what to make of the Joba thing. In my heart I don't think he was throwing at him but how could two pitches in a row get away from him and in the exact location. You and I know that if that was a Red Sox pitcher we would be calling for his head. The only person that really knows is Joba. If it was intentional, then at least we know we can count on Joba if we ever need retaliation.

The inning before Joba didn't strike out anybody. I think Rocket probably told him to make them a little uncomfortable in the box. He will keep the Sox loose the the next time they face him.

In that situation with a 5 run lead in the ninth, there was no message to send. ANybody consider that maybe the 21 year old pitcher in his first outing against the Red Sox was a little pumped up. If the Sox need motivation from that this late in the season it says a lot about their manager. BTW why can't he be bothered to wear a uniform like everone else? Does he want to make sure that they know that he's in charge?

Venom: He gets the chills from blood thinning medication which sounds reasonable to me. I believe baseball's front office should uniform police should get on guys who look like hip hoppers with their pants legs dragging along the ground as opposed to the neater look of around the ankles or the sox look.

Couple of things. Sox were "buzzing" our guys up and in all series, with no response. ARod is always hit immediately when we play the Sox - this is no coincidence. Varitek is an a**hole who harbors a grudge with ARod. Also important to note: Youkilis is what catchers call a "peeker". Just like that billy-goat the Blue Jays have in leftfield, Youk "peeks" for location and that is why he takes those HUGE swings, as if he knows whats coming. He pulled a 98mph inside fastball from Farns"not"worth like he knew exactly where it was coming. So, I believe the pitching staff had a brief conversation about letting "Puke"ilis know we are not gonna be allowing this to happen anymore. He should just be glad Rocket didn't send that message!

Joba must learn to graze the eyeballs just like Sox pitchers so that he can't be accused of throwing at the head...he must throw at the face instead so he can be praised for his high and inside pitches perfectly placed like Sox pitchers when they need to get Yankee hitters off the plate because they are getting to comfortable as they say...and then Joba can hit these guys all he wants like Tavarez -- and we remember notorious Arroyo -- with their lack of control that goes unpunished.

Joba's two wayward pitches were amazingly powerful as they traveled upward over Youkillus head and then came back down to directly strike the back walls with a loud powerful thump (leaving some dents). Red Sox nation talk about revenge in final three games at Fenway but with power like Joba's that he might not be able to control under certain circumstances, they should be afraid...very afraid...to play that type of game.

If it were intentional I would never root for Joba again. I don't think he would throw that high over the head of KY (Jelly) twice in a row on purpose.

Throwing at someone's head is cowardly and evil.

See Clemens vs. Piazza.

See Lilly beaning Spezio.

Joba has overcome polio and was cleaning out toilets a few years ago. Would he do that? I don't think he would. I hope not.

What's wrong with people? Hitting someone in the head is up there with Vick and his dogs. Too many violent video games? Too much watching Shack and Awe-Shucks Mission Accomplished on TV?

What's with the blood lust?

It's a real ball.

A real head.

At 99 MPH.

If they have to retaliate, then have a fist fight.

Again as an archetype example. What did Scott Spezio do wrong to Ted Lilly or the Yankees? That's why as the crowd roared for Lilly's retaliation, you had the surreal scene of every Yankee infielder coming over to first base to see if Scotty was ok. They waited to cheer NOT when Scott stood up, but when Lilly was walking off the field after getting thrown out. I saw it.

Now Scotty has a weird red beard thingy and is in rehab. All because of Ted Lilly! Just killing. I mean, just kidding.

As for the Joba Rules, sure why not put him in the 9th if there is a big lead.

I say leave him in the pen. Mo has one more year left.

What about Pettitte. How great!

If I were Baltimore I would shut Bedard down for the year. What does he have to prove? He's as good as Santana for far less money.

Go Yankees on to victory!

Ant Hill,
The pitches were WAY high on purpose (making sure "Puke" wasn't hit in the noggin)JOBA does not need "weak kneed" fans anyway. Torre has allowed Bosox to get away with this nonsense for years. FINALLY, somebody got some walnuts! Screw Beckett! Flush The Nation!
Go Zimmer! Wake up Joe! Kay-Mouth is a JINX!!!

Red Sox have been pitching Yankees high & tight & plunking them with far more frequency than the Yankees have reciprocated for years now, much to my constant dismay. I don't know why Manny & Big Papi have always been allowed to be so comfortable at the plate, while A-Rod & DJ have been constantly getting drilled. In this series alone, many pitches have been thrown to Yankees tight & above shoulder level, which has no place in baseball. Brush 'em back, plunk 'em in the back or butt, but stay away from the head. If Joba wanted to HIT Youk, you absolutely know Clements would have told him to hit him & leave some "color", & certainly Joba, with his control, in 2 tries no doubt would surely have done so, & clearly would not have done so in the head, whatever really happened or what was intended. Nice to see "rules" are finally being expanded to allow for more sensible use of Joba. Certainly the manager & pitching coach with constant feedback from Joba can figure out how to get more use without jeopordizing his future. Joba MUST remain a set up/closer till Mariano is done, & then take over as full-time closer. He is far more valuable as a closer than a starter, even if he could become Johann Santana-like, because he could impact so many more games in relief. Has there been any pitcher more valuable in baseball than Mariano? All those YEARS knowing the game was WON the second he stepped on the hill. Keep Joba right where he is.

If the kid was sending a message, then one pitch would be enough. To be honest, my only concern was whether Joba hurt himself. The kid has pinpoint control pretty much and those 2 pitches were way out of the stike zone. That second pitch made me think that something was wrong with him.

I also hope that it doesn't cause the Kid to be timid now. This is the first time the the press is talking to him about something other than him being lights out. I hope that it doesn't ruin his effectiveness.

When you are hurt and in pain you don't throw two pitches 98 and 99 mph. If anything he had too much energy and too much excitement, just the opposite of being injured.

With one pitch there was no message. Two pitches give a better message and make batters think twice. The second pitch is what's got everyone's attention, not the first one.

One pitch was enough. It got Youkilis' attention.

The second pitch got the attention of the whole damn team!

And yes, I did think that something was wrong with him. The guy has pinpoint control and command of the strike zone.

I don't like the fact that Boston pitchers throw at us all the time and we don't retaliate enough. As you are Anonymous, I'm sick and tired of our best players getting plucked and we don't do anything about it.

But at this time of the year when we're fighting for our playoff lives, it's not a good idea to throw gas on the fire and get the Red Sox going. We may have them down and given ourselves a good shot at possibly winning the division.
Now, all I think is that we gave them something to rally around the next time that we see them in two weeks.
Fenway Park is going to be at a fever pitch.
It's a hostile enough place as it is. We just turned it up a few notches.

Ahhh.....I see it didnt take long for the chest thumpers and knuckle draggers to come out of the woodwork.

Keep in mind that Arod leads the league in hbp...so it aint just the Sox throwing at him...same goes for Jeter. They both get hit alot by alot of teams. Personally, I dont have an issue with Joba throwing the balls over Youks head....they were no where near hitting him. I agree with John...not sure it was a wise move, but a harmless one, at least on the surface.

You're all a bunch of hypocritical wannabee psychologists.
Its part of the game. An Eye for an Eye! Who cares what bosux think!

based on that post....that may actually be "Dr." Phil.

Mike from Jersey,

I was thinking the same thing about Youkilis.

And if you look at the video of each Joba pitch, Jorge was set up low and outside on each pitch. Maybe they were setting him up! If so: well done!

Well,

For what it is worth...I think the theory that Youks "peeks" is utter hogwash...I've watched almost every ab he has had over the past three years...I've never noticed him "peeking".

Don't worry. If we can't beat 'em, we can't beat 'em. Over the head 2x says," No peeking Puke, and stop drilling our guys". One time might have been dismissed as a mistake. 2x sends the message, WITHOUT DRILLING THE GUY!!! I personally think JOBA should have put one right in Puke's hamhock, but it probably wouldn't have hurt anyhow!

another point to ponder....check out how mmany Sox batters have been plunked by Yank pitching this year...compared to Yank hitters being plunked by Sox pitching.....you might be surprised at those stats.

He peeks. He peeks. He peeks. Same type of batting stance as the billy goat in Toronto. And that guy leads the league in gettin' drilled. I bet Puke is in the top 10.

Well Mike,

As I said...I've watched just about every ab he has had over the last 3-4 years...but what do I know?

and, as I also said...Arod leads the league...both leagues, actually, in getting hit....does he peek?

A-Rod gets hit because he's the best player in the sport and he yells "Ha" LOL HAHA

A-Rod doesn't dive into the plate like Youkillis or Jeter he's just being "hated"-a victim of the "Playa Hate" nomsayin..

Arod gets pitched outside alot because that is his "weak spot"...so he does lean over the plate.

Cas,

I just looked at the video again, and it's even better! Youkilis is leaning toward the outside of the plate - where Posada was setting up - before Joba was even halfway into his rotation! Looking at it now, it's downright HIGH-LARIOUS.

1. Posada sets up low and outside.
2. Youkilis leans low and outside
3. Joba winds up.
4. Hello, Frisco!

Anyone who recorded it, it's worth a look. Comedy GOLD.

But you are right Phuck...Jeter and Youks do dive into the zone...therefore they are gonna get hit

I have no problem with any pitcher establishing the inside of the zone....and, I dont have a problem with sending a message by blasting a 98mph fastball 2 feet over someones head...looks dramatic, but is virtually harmless.

I would have to disagree.

Youklis was already beaned by Proctor on June 1st. Of course he would be upset at the two pitches from Joba over his head at 100 mph. You would have to be an idiot not to get upset.

I've covered Major League Spring Training and got to sit in the dugout ... I've seen the real thing up close ... but I have never seen a beanball war ... it must be very ugly to be in the middle of it. They throw so hard ... Beanballs ruin the game, like high sticks in ice hockey or helmet first hits in football.

Joba should call Kevin and say he is sorry, thank God he didn't get hit and that he understands why he would be angry. No hard feelings. "Go to your brother ..."

An eye for an eye leaves everyone with one eye.

Do you want an eye for an eye in every realm? If so, then what will the Muslim World will do after our sanctions and war killed over 1.5 million in Iraq (all for lies) and depleted uranium caused so many cancers and birth defects? And our sick culture wants to their women into whores like Christina Aguilera ... from Allah McBeal to Ally McBeal?

Do you want more 9-11's here? Because that's what an eye for an eye will give you ... A sad, peace-deprived world of Tony Conigliaros.

The funny thing is, the people who never played, never hit, never pitched, and never saw a war ... they are the ones who cheer the blood lust on the most. Every single time.

Why do you think Winfield ran to the mound vs. Nolan Ryan. Winny was a pitcher in college. He knows what the pitcher can do with the ball. Tom Seaver and Guidry, Matlack, they never threw at anyone! (Seaver did throw at Gibson for Gibson coming after John Milner in Spring Training. It's in Seaver's book.)

Unless you are up at bat, you have no right to comment on beanballs.

Like Bush said recently; "We should have stayed in Vietnam."

"We?"

Didn't he go AWOL from the cushy Air National Guard?

What a joke.

If baseball is about Clemens beaning Piazza then count me out.

Oh and he threw the broken bat at Piazza "because he thought it was the ball."

Isn't that dodge ball?

This is all just way too upsetting. Sports should be an escape from the societal meltdown, not the personification of it.

These guys that play the game have alot less animosity towards their opponents than the fans tend to. It is, after-all, a fraternity of sorts. I ahve a hard time believing that anyone intentionally tries to injure nother player. Getting hit is part of the game...some players will get hit more often than others due to their stance/diving into the zone..etc. Some may get hit purposely as retribution...but that is usually in the waist down area where it stings but causes little real injury. Keep in mind the zone is a pretty small area...and even the pitcher with supposed "pinpoint" control aint perfect when he is throwing that hard.

Only difference, Jeter does not peek - he dives. "Puke" peeks (between his arms, under the right forearm) Granted, it doesn't work all the